Happy Monday! We’re off to Duluth this week but before I go here’s a few ways to make some memories this week….

1. Buy some inexpensive wine glasses for the kids to use at dinner. We bought a four-pack of sturdy, inexpensive wine glasses just for the kids a year ago and it’s amazing how well they have lasted. It makes the kids feel so fancy at dinner time and they learn to be careful with the breakable glass. For toddlers, you can also check thrift stores for whimsical mugs or colorful plastic margarita glasses.

2. Do a conga line to leave someplace fun. I learned this one from Magical Mama Tiffany when our kids didn’t want to leave the mall one day. She had them all line up and hold on to the waist of the person ahead of them and we did the conga all the way out. Chant conga, conga, con-GA! and kick to alternating sides on the last syllable. Three-year-old Alex even does a two-person conga line with me to go upstairs to bed.

3. Host an old fashioned game like horseshoes or croquet on the front lawn and invite friends and neighbors to join in.

4. Pick out some spring flower bulbs together and plant them to make a beautiful new scene come springtime.

5. Make your own play dough together and dye it naturally. Use beets, turmeric, coffee, crab apples, you name it. Hint: simmer lots of materials with not much water for the brightest colors.

6. Share a cup of tea the English way. Brew some tea and add cream (we use vanilla almond milk) and sugar for a delicious sweet treat.

7. Set up a mall logic scavenger hunt. I love this amazing idea from Toad Haven! I’m afraid our version would not be nearly as elaborate but I’m so inspired and tickled at the idea. :)

8. Take advantage of the surplus of tomatoes and all the farmers’ markets and make your own salsa together. We do this at least every week this time of year and love to experiment with our recipe (and to gobble it up!).

9. Take the kids to a thrift store and give them each a small amount of money for a “shopping spree.” Even three dollars can buy a ton of stuff at a thrift store!

10. Invite some fun friends over for a casual dinner party. Let the kids set the table and make it fancy with centerpieces and such. Put out a spread and enjoy conversation, company, after-dinner games and (if your dinner parties are anything like ours) a lot of noise!

And with that, my dears, I’m off to run around frantically trying to finish packing and forget half of what we’ll need this week. :)

Have a fabulous week! Kiss your kiddos, count your blessings and don’t forget to take care of you.